Our Origin Story

The Yoga Society, was founded in 1971 by Nina Johnson under the direction of H.H. Sri Swami Rama to impart the traditional techniques of yoga-meditation for Self-realization as taught by the sages of the Himalayas. Our first classes were held in a small room in a church near UWM. Since then, HYM has held residence on Milwaukee’s east side, downtown and in Bayview and continues today as the oldest non-profit school of yoga and meditation in the city. In the fall of 1998 our center officially became the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Society of Wisconsin and was adopted as part of AHYMSIN (Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Society–International) under the direction of Swami Veda Bharati. Despite the change in legal name, the center continued operating as the Yoga Society until 2012 when it moved to Washington Heights.

HYM’s ancestral origins lie in the authentic Himalayan Tradition. Our community of aspirants have built over 40+ years of total study, which includes 25 years of direct tutelage by Swami Rama. Both beginning and experienced students of yoga-meditation who engage with our center can benefit from the deep wisdom accumulated by the founding initiates. HYM offers a wide variety of classes in meditation, yoga and wellness taught by local faculty with years of training and practice, and sponsors workshops and seminars in Eastern philosophy, Ayurveda and yoga therapy with visiting yogis, scholars and teachers from around the world. The center is open to everyone. All ages, all levels of experience, and members of all faiths are welcome.